Hakone Kyuan
9,2/10 Exceptional - Based on 797 reviews
Hakone Kyuan is a compact, purposefully designed ryokan on the slopes of Hakone, organised around a ten-room house system: three special suites in a detached bettei and seven individually styled rooms in the main building. Each guest room is defined by a deliberate Japanese aesthetic and most include a semi-open-air or in-room hot spring bath framed to capture mountain views; a flagship VIP suite pairs separate living and sleeping areas with conveniences such as an espresso machine, mini bar and free Wi‑Fi. The property operates a guest shuttle and provides on-site parking to ease arrival and local transfers.
The inn draws its waters from the local Ninohira source; the spring is a slightly alkaline, simple hot spring with a high source temperature, noted on site for its gentle feel on skin. Rather than a large gender-segregated public bath, the ryokan centres its bathing offer on private experiences: all rooms are equipped with open-air or semi-open-air baths and the property also offers a reservable private bath for short, scheduled use—bookings are required in advance and tattoos are permitted. This configuration positions the property as a ryokan with private onsen in Hakone for travellers seeking seclusion and in-room bathing.
Meals follow a kaiseki-style rhythm, with multi-course dinners and traditional Japanese breakfasts prepared from seasonal ingredients and served in-room for bettei guests or in private dining rooms for main-building stays, allowing discreet service and focused attention. Practical details emphasise convenience: a daytime pick-up shuttle from nearby stops, flexible arrival guidance and staff support for luggage delivery and local sightseeing. Located within easy reach of the town’s museums and hot-spring attractions, the inn functions as a measured, service-oriented ryokan with private onsen in Kanagawa, suited to couples and small groups wanting an intimate onsen experience.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hakone Kyuan
Positive Reviews
Attentive, welcoming staff
Many guests praised exceptionally friendly, attentive and helpful personnel — warm check‑in (welcome drink, sparkling wine), thoughtful service that made guests feel unique and well cared for throughout their stay.
Beautiful rooms with private onsen
Rooms are described as spacious, well‑designed and clean, often featuring tatami elements and a private or semi‑outdoor onsen/bathtub integrated into the room (very hot and enjoyable).
Excellent traditional meals
Dinner (Kaiseki‑style) and breakfast were repeatedly highlighted as delicious, plentiful and high quality — an important part of the authentic ryokan experience.
Peaceful mountain setting and views
The property’s quiet mountain location, attractive views and natural setting create a calm, immersive atmosphere that many guests found restorative and unique.
Authentic ryokan experience and amenities
Guests appreciated the traditional experience (yukata/kimonos provided, in‑room dining, cultural touches) which made the stay feel genuine and memorable.
Negative Reviews
Difficult access and limited shuttle service
Multiple guests reported access issues: the hotel is somewhat remote by public transport, shuttle service is limited or absent so arrivals/departures often require booking transfers, taxis or walking up to 1–2 km; advance coordination is recommended.
Timing constraints for check‑in and breakfast
Check‑in is typically from 15:00 and breakfast service often starts around 09:00, which caused problems for guests with early trains or tight schedules.
Rigid menu and limited options for children/western tastes
Some guests found the set menu inflexible (especially for children), noting the absence of familiar items like bread or fruit and wishing for more child‑friendly choices.
In‑room amenity issues and light control
A few minor problems were reported such as curtains/ blinds not being fully blackout and occasional malfunctioning amenities (example: a non‑working massage chair).
Occasional service inconsistencies and billing hiccups
A small number of guests experienced confused or inexperienced staff interactions (causing misunderstandings at table service) and at least one billing/logistics issue (payment not reflected on an invoice), though these appear isolated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hakone Kyuan is a small ryokan with 10 rooms across a main building and an annex, and room capacities vary from couples to family suites (some rooms sleep up to five). Please check the specific room’s maximum occupancy when booking.
Yes — every room has either an open-air or semi-open-air hot spring bath directly in the room for private use. There is no large shared public bath on site.
A reservable private bath is available on request and must be booked in advance for a timed session; guests also use the in-room baths for privacy.
Yes — complementary pick-up is offered from Chokoku-no-Mori Station and the Kowakien bus stop during set afternoon hours; contact the ryokan in advance to arrange pickup or other transfers.
The ryokan is reachable by train and bus combinations and is about 75 km from Haneda; the official access guide recommends routes via Odawara, Mishima or Hakoneyumoto with local buses or taxis for the final leg.
The ryokan provides English information on its website and staff communicate with international guests, though full fluency may vary; emailing ahead for special requests is recommended.
Hakone Kyuan serves traditional kaiseki dinners and a Japanese breakfast; meals are usually included with accommodation, served in-room for annex guests and in a private dining room for main-building guests, with set dinner and breakfast times.
The ryokan is within easy walking distance of Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the Hakone Museum of Art, with several other museums and parks a short drive or bus ride away.
With meals, check-in is typically between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm (room-only arrivals may have a later window) and check-out is 11:00 am; please notify the ryokan in advance if you expect to arrive late.
Whole-house hire is uncommon for a ten-room ryokan and requires direct inquiry; the official site does not list a clear pet policy so contact the ryokan to confirm, and convenience stores and shops are available in the nearby Hakone/Yumoto area for supplies.